Psalm 143 1

Psalm 143:1 kjv

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

Psalm 143:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness.

Psalm 143:1 niv

A psalm of David. LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

Psalm 143:1 esv

Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Psalm 143:1 nlt

Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.

Psalm 143 verses

Psalm 143 1 Meaning

Psalm 143:1 is a fervent plea from a person in deep distress to God, appealing directly to God's inherent nature and covenant relationship. It encapsulates a cry for divine intervention and responsiveness based not on the speaker's merit, but on God's unwavering faithfulness and just character. The psalmist seeks not only an acknowledgement of the prayer but an active answer and deliverance that aligns with God's perfect truth and righteousness.

Psalm 143 1 Context

Psalm 143 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms (Ps 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). Attributed to David in its superscription, it reflects a deeply troubled state, possibly from internal or external enemies, or a profound awareness of sin, driving him to earnest supplication. The entire chapter is a desperate cry for deliverance and divine guidance amidst overwhelming distress and accusations, emphasizing the psalmist's humility and reliance on God alone. Verse 1 serves as the foundational opening, establishing the intense desire for God's direct and righteous intervention. The historical setting is consistent with various periods of David's life where he faced immense hardship, flight, or political intrigue, leading him to fully depend on YHWH.

Psalm 143 1 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - Shema): More than merely perceiving sound, Shema implies active, attentive listening, and often carries the connotation of obedience or acting upon what is heard (as in the Shema Yisrael). Here, it's a plea for God to pay careful heed and respond effectively.
• My prayer (תְּפִלָּתִי - T'fillati): Refers to a formal, intentional act of communion with God, distinguished from a casual utterance. It indicates a structured plea originating from a deep inner state.
• O Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles. It emphasizes God's self-revelation, His unchangeable nature, and His personal, active relationship with His people as promised in the covenant. It underscores the intimate and reliable nature of the relationship being appealed to.
• Give ear (הַאֲזִינָה - Ha'azina): This verb amplifies "hear," suggesting a leaning in or bending down to listen closely and carefully, particularly to something important or urgent. It reinforces the psalmist's plea for intense divine attention.
• My supplications (תַחֲנוּנוֹתַי - Tachanunotay): Derived from the root חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to be gracious" or "to show favor." Therefore, these are not demands, but humble petitions for grace and mercy, acknowledging the petitioner's dependency and unworthiness, and appealing solely to God's benevolent nature.
• In Your faithfulness (בֶּאֱמוּנָתְךָ - Be'emunat'kha): This grounds the plea in God's character. Emunah denotes God's reliability, trustworthiness, constancy, and steadfast fidelity to His covenant promises. The psalmist asks God to answer because it is consistent with Who He is.
• Answer me (עֲנֵנִי - Aneni): A direct and urgent imperative. The psalmist seeks a clear and active response, not just passive listening.
• And in Your righteousness (וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ - Uv'tzidkat'kha): Tzedakah refers to God's inherent justice, moral rectitude, and adherence to His own holy standards. Crucially, in the Old Testament, God's righteousness often manifests as His saving action and deliverance, particularly on behalf of His covenant people or the oppressed, establishing justice and vindicating the righteous. It means God acting in accordance with His just and right character to set things straight for His suffering servant.

• Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications!: This double expression highlights the earnestness and desperation of the plea. It is not a casual request but a profound appeal for God to fully engage, acknowledge, and respond to the cry of His servant, showing intense attentiveness. This rhetorical pairing emphasizes the gravity of the psalmist's situation and his sole reliance on divine intervention.
• In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness!: This phrase presents the dual bedrock of the psalmist's appeal. The prayer is not based on the psalmist's worthiness or merit, but entirely on the unshakeable attributes of God. God's faithfulness ensures He keeps His word and remains true to His nature and covenant. His righteousness ensures He acts justly and will ultimately bring vindication and salvation to those who trust in Him, particularly the oppressed. This combination makes God both dependable and justly active on behalf of His supplicant.

Psalm 143 1 Bonus section

This verse reflects a fundamental pattern of Old Testament prayer where the worshiper approaches God based on His character and covenant promises, not on their own merits. The specific use of YHWH for "Lord" implies a reliance on God's redemptive history and ongoing relationship with His people, which began with Moses. The intensity of "Hear... give ear" and the appeal to both "faithfulness" and "righteousness" sets a template for believers. It teaches that God’s actions are consistently aligned with His divine attributes. This alignment means that for His people, His righteousness is a source of salvation and deliverance, not condemnation. It signifies divine intervention to restore justice and protect the innocent or repentant, rather than merely to judge sin. This concept undergirds the New Testament understanding of God's saving righteousness demonstrated in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 143 1 Commentary

Psalm 143:1 opens a profound lament, revealing the heart of a distressed believer who grounds his desperate appeal in the immutable character of God rather than his own virtue. David, a man after God's own heart, yet frequently beset by enemies and often acknowledging his own sin, appeals to the core of God's being. He isn't merely asking for a favor but for God to act in a way that is consistent with His revealed nature. God's faithfulness assures His reliability and commitment to His covenant, even when human beings fail. His righteousness signifies His just, active, and vindicating power that intervenes to set things right, delivering the oppressed and upholding what is holy. The earnest doubling of "hear" and "give ear" underscores the intensity of the psalmist's distress and his profound dependence, mirroring the desperation often seen in prayer when facing life-threatening situations or spiritual barrenness. This verse teaches us that in our deepest need, our strongest foundation for prayer is not our deservingness, but God's unchanging perfections.Examples: When facing overwhelming injustice, pray like this psalmist, appealing to God's righteousness to set things right. When enduring a season of uncertainty or trials, rely on God's faithfulness to uphold His promises.